Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche

Known by Buddhist masters and scholars as an emanation of the great yogi Milarepa,
Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche is regarded as one of the highest lamas of the Kagyu lineage
today. He was born into a Sherpa family in Nepal, with many auspicious signs
accompanying his birth. The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa recognized Rinpoche when he was
a toddler, predicting this 4th Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche would be of great benefit to
all sentient beings.

Gyalwa Rinpoche studied at Rumtek Monastery and the Nalanda Institute for Higher
Buddhist Studies in Sikkim and received his traditional acharya degree with first class
honors. During this time he also received many transmissions and teachings from
such great spiritual masters as the 16th Karmapa, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Lama
Guenden Rinpoche. In 2004, he became the first incarnate lama to receive a PhD,
graduating from Harvard University with a degree in Indo-Tibetan studies.

Widely recognized for his ability to modernize ancient Buddhist teachings for today's
challenges, Gyalwa Rinpoche is dedicated to the value of education in bringing wisdom
to life. To promote this, he has founded organizations throughout Asia and the United
States, including the United Trungram Buddhist Fellowship, Buddhist Relief Services, the
Trungram Gyalwa Foundation, and Dharmakaya Organization. He also has a number of
retreat centers around the world, such as the Lumbini Udyana Mahachaitya—part of the
Lumbini United Nations Development Project at Buddha’s birthplace, and the Dharmakaya
Center for Wellbeing, in the New York Catskills.

Rinpoche's wish is to share the Buddhadharma - the truth, the path of non-violence
and the path of peace with others.